As Ray reached the palace again, he got a little worried about Kredevel.
When they had planned out how to take down Derrick Orden unawares, Kredevel had insisted that he be allowed to make sure that Ray’s long-distance attack would land no matter what. It would put him in a dangerous situation, almost as near-fatal as their common enemy. But Ray had been unable to dissuade his Sylvan friend.
Besides, a part of him hadn’t wanted to. A part of him had wished to finally kill Derrick Orden, that cultist pest, no matter what it took. Dangerous, but worth it.
Ray: Gritty, how’s Kredevel doing? I didn’t see you guys when I went back to the spot we met.
Gritty: The spot we met was burning thanks to your chaos fires, wingman. Your alien friend’s with Joaquin. Doing well, last I heard.
Ray: Thank goodness.
Gritty: Thank goodness? What about thanking ME?
Ray laughed.
Ray: Yeah, yeah, thank you too LOL.
Gritty: Fucken… where the hell are you going now?
Ray: We need to secure the palace and the way to the Second Floor. Looks like you guys have things in hand out there, but if you really need my help, just holler.
As they called the chat off, Gritty said she would check up on Kredevel again. In her estimation, the Sylvan was already raring to go.
“Thanks a lot, men.” Ray offered his two constructs a salute. He had summoned two flying eyeballs to keep… well, an eye out. Neither returned his gesture. “We’ll meet again later.”
He dismissed them, then returned to the palace. Things were in hand out there. Maya had confirmed it, after all. Now that both their main oppositions’ leaders were dead, they would have a much easier time of carving out a victory from the battle.
Ray walked past the corpse of the Floor Lord to the centre of the large room. With the Sylvan leader’s death, the wall of spiralling growths he had created to protect his little hoard had crumbled and disappeared.
Leaving all the ritual ingredients free for Ray’s perusal.
Speaking of hoards, Ray collected everything he had dropped to activate Hoard Defence. It was… laconic, in a way. He only had the various items just to use the skill in Lifeblood Crucible.
No, Graveyard. It was Lifeblood Graveyard now, thanks to his class evolution. Which also reminded him that he had to check his new spells’ descriptions soon.
For now, he focused on what was available in the Floor Lord’s little collection.
Primordial Gauge flared up, immediately enlightening Ray that there were a lot of things interacting with Mana. In fact, two of them were new Tower Nodes. Just lying there, out in the wild for anyone to come and take. It felt a little preposterous, like someone had left priceless diamonds on the kitchen counter.
[System Artifact—Tower Node]
Tower Node of the Ingestor
With the Node of the Ingestor, you can now lay claim to Sectors 34 through 38 and all associated structures within. Incorporate the ability to ingest any sort of energy, whether it be any variant of Mana or that Mana shaped into an ability, and store that energy for later use. True Mana can be used to raise the different types and potencies of energy that can be absorbed. Be wary that excessive use may contact the Ingestor.
Tower Node of the Abstractor
With the Node of the Abstractor, you can now rule over Sectors 12 through 17. Abstractions are the power of this Node. With it, you can now convert one form of Mana to any other, provided a piece of the targeted Mana has been fed to the Tower Node. True Mana may be used to increase the variants of Mana conversion possible simultaneously. Be wary that excessive use may contact the Abstractor.
Ray stared at the two Tower Nodes just lying there. Both were the same diamond-shaped ceramic crystals, of course. The Node of the Ingestor had strange holes along its top planes, while the Node of the Abstractor had a bunch of tiny antennae flickering at both its pointed ends.
Focusing on them didn’t help. Even when Ray picked them up physically, for some reason, they didn’t feel his. He could tell that he wouldn’t be able to channel their powers.
Sighing, Ray closed his eyes. “Yes, yes, Marauder. I see now why you kept coming out every time there was a Tower Node. Mind doing the same now?”
Whether it was actually Ray’s entreaty or whether it was the presence of the new Tower Nodes finally catching his original one’s attention, it was difficult to tell. Regardless, the Tower Node of the Marauder showed up, blinking into view above the two Tower Nodes.
Ray realized he didn’t know what exact process the Marauder’s Tower Node employed to grant him access to other Tower Nodes. It left him more or less beholden to the Marauder.
He didn’t like that. Not at all. Another thing he had to investigate was how to obtain control over Tower Nodes without his first Node coming into play.
In time. Maybe, with everything finally coming to an end, he could figure it out.
As it was, the two new Tower Nodes floated into the air. Ray held himself back from rolling his eyes. So they decided to respond to the Marauder but not to him. Typical. Still, he felt that he did have control over them now. That he could use their abilities much the same way he used every other Tower Nodes’.
With a pinch of focus from his will, all three Tower Nodes disappeared. Ray felt them in the back of his head. He would be able to summon them up when needed now.
Though, he wondered if he could get a skill from them much the way he’d had the options to do so from his first two Tower Nodes. He supposed he would need a skill token as a reward. But Ray had hopes that he would soon get one.
Now that he had some time, Ray finally decided to take a proper look at all the new spells he had. Well, all the old spells that had been converted into “new” ones thanks to class evolution.
[Information Request—Spells]
Soulstrike [Offensive] [Tier 3]
A True Mana offensive spell that crafts a single striking armament with spirit energy. Malleable spirit allows the end of the armament to take various attacking forms. At Tier 3, this spell has a maximum range of 18 meters, can take striking, impaling, and slashing forms, and costs 60 True Mana. Further application of True Mana allows the armament to assume a grasping form.
Spiritsorb [Offensive] [Utility] [Tier 3]
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
A True Mana primal spell that absorbs a portion of the target’s soul. Death of the target automatically allows caster to retain the target’s Soul Aspect in Lifeblood Graveyard. At Tier 3, this spell’s range is limited only by caster’s sight, grants basic information about the target, and consumes 15 True Mana. Further application of True Mana removes the need for a projectile for the spell to take effect.
Primordial Gauge [Utility] [Active/Passive] [Tier 5]
A multi-castable, True Mana primal spell that boosts all other primal spells and shields the caster from Mana-based debuffs and afflictions up to this spell’s Tier. Passively informs caster about other creatures and Mana-based items and abilities in effect in the vicinity, as well as revealing the currents of Mana itself. Focusing on souls reveals the integrity of their spiritual structure. At Tier 5, this spell’s effective range is 25 meters.
Primal Spiritcraft [Summoning] [Tier 5]
A True Mana summoning spell that conjures Soul Aspects stored by Lifeblood Graveyard upon the caster. Each Soul Aspect integrates directly with caster’s body and spirit, enhancing both the caster’s physical form and their soul’s potential. True Mana ensures conjurations are at their peak potential. At Tier 5, this spell can conjure 5 Soul Aspects at Tier 5 that last 2 minutes and 30 seconds, at a cost of 50 True Mana per Soul Aspect.
Lifeblood Graveyard [Passive] [Tier 9]
A True Mana primal spell that creates a simulacrum of the Primordial Crucible of Chaos within the caster’s soul in the form of a graveyard. Absorbed Soul Aspects are stored within this graveyard. The graveyard stores souls amorphously, so each Soul Aspect can be modified in form and function, up to the extent of their capabilities, to suit the caster’s needs. At Tier 9, the graveyard can store up to 9 Soul Aspects.
Mottling Spiritguard [Barrier] [Tier 3]
A True Mana barrier spell that summons several amorphous orbs of chaotic energy around the caster. Each orb can fully block a singular attack at this spell’s Tier or launch an attack upon one or more targets. Either action causes the orb to dissipate. Amorphous orbs can be shaped to suit the caster’s needs. At Tier 3, this spell summons 12 orbs that last 2 minutes and 30 seconds and costs 80 True Mana.
Aethereal Envoy [Utility] [Tier 4]
A True Mana utility spell that overlays the caster’s form with the caster’s spirit, making it difficult to spot the caster using regular senses. Heightens caster’s evasion and speed, while raising defence against non-physical attacks. Once the caster is spotted, all afflictions by the caster are upgraded by 2 Tiers. At Tier 4, this spell costs 40 True Mana.
Lifeblood Construct [Summoning] [Tier 5]
A True Mana summoning spell that constructs stored Soul Aspects using spirit energy. Constructed Soul Aspects manifest externally, either individually or in combination. True Mana ensures that the constructs are at the peak of their potential. At Tier 5, caster can summon 5 Soul Aspects at Tier 5 which lasts 2 minutes and 30 seconds, at a cost of 50 True Mana per Soul Aspect.
Ray went through the whole list, carefully reading every spell description. They were familiar enough that if he simply glanced at them, he was liable to miss the actual differences. For, when he did find the differences, they seemed both subtle and potentially game changing for future encounters.
Take Soulstrike, for instance. He had already determined through instinct and Primordial Gauge that he could change the shape of the spell.
But now, reading the description enlightened him that he had multiple available shapes to use. Like slashing and striking. Ray would have to test those. Though, what he wouldn’t have to test was the fact that he already knew what grasping would be like thanks to True Enhancement.
In a similar vein, Primal Spiritcraft apparently modified Ray’s “soul potential”, whatever that was, depending on which Soul Aspect he called up. Another thing he would need to test. His soul had clearly been modified when using it, which he had first noticed inside the Skybreaker Tower Node’s twister, and in the battles afterwards too. It would explain what he had felt then.
It was interesting, overall, that the Class Evolution had more or less enhanced what he was capable of already. There were no real, drastic changes to his fighting style. Something he appreciated.
Although, there was the new spell of Animus Remnant. That hinted there would be new spells that could provide interesting routes for his build to go. Like all things, Ray would have to see.
Satisfied with everything he had seen so far, Ray decided it was time to move on.
----------------------------------------
It was fortunate that Kredevel recovered quickly. Ray had checked out the last of the items the Floor Lord had hoarded and was now ready to move on.
Kredevel: Your friend, Joaquin, is a tremendous healer, Ray.
Ray: Oh, hey! You alright? I was really worried for a sec there.
More than worried, he was feeling a bit guilty he hadn’t protested their rushed plan that had put Kredevel in grave danger. The relief he was feeling was heady and heavy.
Kredevel: I am alright. Quite alright, in fact. Where are you?
Ray: Are you sure you’re fine? Absolutely positive?
Kredevel: Yes. Perhaps I can show you. Give me a few minutes. By the way, have you checked what the Floor Lord was preparing for?
Ray explained how he had found the two Tower Nodes in the Floor Lord’s possession. Their description had made it clear that they were indeed there for the plan to convert one form of Mana to another. Something Ray could potentially make great use of.
Ray: There were also a couple of other items. Pretty interesting, but not stuff I’ve got a use for.
Kredevel: Are they the ones for the other parts of his plan?
Ray: Yeah. One of them is the one that enhances genes with Mana. The other is for inserting Flight Mana into whatever you want.
Kredevel: Intriguing. But I can see why they are less useful to you.
Ray nodded, although Kredevel couldn’t see it, of course. They decided to meet in the central chamber, and the Sylvan showed up before long. He glanced at the patch of the floor that was stained with the dark, silvery blood of the Floor Lord. The crushed remains of the head were still there, but not the corpse any longer.
“To think he would come to such an ignominious end,” Kredevel said, sadly shaking his head. He seemed genuinely aggrieved for his superior’s sake.
“I suppose it’s dissatisfying for him to have died not by your hands,” Ray said.
“A little bit, yes. But what I truly bemoan is… the overall state of my race. We Sylvans have been quite the disaster on the First Floor.”
Ray supposed that was one way of looking at things. His fellows really had caused things to turn tumultuous, at least with regards to their System-granted directive of guiding the new Denizens to the Second Floor.
“Does it matter now, though?” Ray asked. “You’re out here for yourself now. You want to climb the Tower, same as me. That’s what you said, at least.”
“I did, and I do not regret that decision.”
Ray realized he didn’t truly know how Kredevel felt at that moment. What would his reaction had been if the rest of the human Denizens had failed, one way or another, even if Ray himself had made it to the Second Floor? Upon closer inspection, the idea generated a complicated mix of feelings he wasn’t sure he wanted to dissect just then.
“Speaking of Floors,” Ray said, deciding to direct the conversation into more productive lanes. “You really weren’t kidding when you said the Tower Node was supposed to be in the throne room?”
“Kidding.” Kredevel considered the word like it was unfamiliar to him. “I don’t think I will ever get used to some of your terminology. But yes, it has been rumoured the Tower Node was always in the Floor Lord’s presence, and his presence was most often located in the throne room.”
Ray supposed that made some kind of sense. Tellingly, he hadn’t noted any other Tower Nodes in the central chamber where they’d had their battle, so it wasn’t like the Floor Lord always had it on him. There was a very good chance they would indeed find it in the throne room.
As they walked, Ray called up the Tower Node of the Marauder once more. He figured he would need it again soon enough.
“I hear things look good out there,” Ray said, nudging his head back rearwards.
Kredevel had on a considering look. “Well, after you asked Serian to take the Floor Lord’s body outside of the palace, things began to calm down. You were correct. Despite what I believed, despite how we tend to act as a whole, the loss of the Floor Lord was indeed a powerful blow to… to the Sylvans’ morale.”
Ray nodded. It did sound odd that Kredevel was referring to his own race in the third person.
He was glad his plan was working, though. Maya and the others had things more or less in hand, but Ray had decided he could still help, even if he was mostly checking things inside the palace.
All that had required was meeting one of the only other Sylvans inside their headquarters. A young friend of Kredevel’s who it turned out held the Floor Lord in the same estimation as Kredevel himself. It hadn’t been difficult at all to convince Serian to take the Floor Lord’s corpse outside to make his fellow’s see reason—they were, essentially, beaten.
“Yeah,” Ray said. “Maya told me some of the Sylvans had finally surrendered. Looks like our little gambit paid off.”
“The same for the Wild Tides. It is a bit miraculous that blast from you didn’t destroy his body entirely, but because of that, we are able to force the remainder of the Wild Tides to capitulate. I will add that they surrendered much quicker once they saw that their leader was dead.”
Ray grinned. It was definitely easy to see how the last of the Wild Tides would give up easily after Derrick Orden’s death.
Also funny how Kredevel was quick to point out how rapidly the humans had surrendered.
The throne room, as was true for most of the palace, turned out to be empty. Ray was happy there were no enemy Sylvans barging straight at him to take off his head or something. He had some time to appreciate the old splendour of the room.
It was fairly reminiscent of the central chamber, but at a much smaller scale. If that room had been the size of a small stadium, then this throne room was about as big as a high school gymnasium. Faded gold and silver murals decorated the walls, the tiles still gleaming polished enough to show faint reflections. The glass in the windows were stained prettily too.
Ray had no trouble at all imagining just how splendid this whole place must have once been.
They walked over to the very centre of the room, right up to the throne.
“This seems like the right spot,” Ray said. “Don’t you think?”
Kredevel didn’t answer. He was looking at the Tower Node hovering next to Ray. The Tower Node, that Ray turned to see, was blinking as it floated closer to the throne and its dais. He smiled. It was now time to get his last Tower Node.